5 BEST (Underrated) Europe Cities for Long Stays or Slow Travel | Our NEW Picks for 2026
Key Moments
Editorial Summary
Travelers John and Bev share five European cities they recommend for long stays and slow travel based on their recent experiences. They begin with Versailles, France, highlighting its balance of historical elegance and local rhythms, specifically noting the Notre Dame Market and the accessible greenery of the local park. In Switzerland, they recommend Basel for its livability, efficient tram system, and proximity to three different countries. The creators also suggest Valletta, Malta, describing it as a walled capital that offers a Mediterranean lifestyle with easy connections to the rest of Europe via budget airlines. In Germany, they highlight Wiesbaden as a peaceful alternative to the bustling energy of Frankfurt, noting its history as a spa town and its location near wine growing regions. Finally, they discuss Budapest, Hungary, praising its affordability, the natural hot springs used for thermal baths, and its excellent rail connections to other central European capitals. The creators conclude that these cities are ideal for travelers looking to move beyond sightseeing to truly live within a local culture.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
We're John and Bev, and we are the retirement travelers.
Cities that feel easy to love and hard to leave.
It's one of those rare places that balances elegance with everyday life.
The market runs every day, but Sundays are pure magic.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyVideo content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube